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Toyota Sequoia

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  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    Methinks slackers point is right on. If you trade-in so often, then resale must be a factor. Oh I forget, you are a CASH buyer.... Good for you. I did see that you decribed the Sequoia as "... a terrific car, but soulless and hardly exciting". Hmmmm.... What do you expect in a truck ? Exciting will be for sports car and performance sedans. No ?

    Oh, you need space for the additions to the family. I don't see how a Durango offers more space than a Sequoia. When it comes to space, no one puts the Durango and the Sequoia in the same sentence when comparing these trucks.

    But as someone said already: you bought what fits you and your family best. Good luck and best wishes.
  • cjaubertcjaubert Member Posts: 17
    Okay, guys, I have just one question, and I would surely appreciate SERIOUS responses: Is four days in the shop (regardless of which car) over 92K miles and six years and five months of ownership (a) too much time in the shop, (b) about the right time, or a time to be expected, or (c) less time than you would expect?

    Quite frankly, putting all disagreement on cars aside, I think that the comment by slackers that, “Me thinks that was 4 days too much. Give me a break. I wouldn't expect a day in the shop for those initial miles on the Sequoia or any "decent" vehicle fot that matter, let alone 4 days in for 92K on "one" vehicle” is a bit optimistic.

    I am 46 years old and have probably owned in excess of 20 vehicles in the past 20 years. I cannot imagine ANY car going 92K miles and NEVER being in the shop one day. Maybe I am just unlucky.

    Let’s see what you guys think..... I’ll cast the first vote: (c)
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    My 92 LS400 has 92k miles and other than a few times in 93 when I mistakenly took the car in for climate control system checks it has NEVER seen the inside of ANY shop.

    I put 275k miles on a 1968 Ford country squire with an engine swap at 130k and otherwise the only trouble I remember is having to replace the mechanical fuel pump once or twice.

    My 01 AWD RX300 has never been in the shop since the day I bought it. While I will likely not keep it that long, were I to do so I would fully expect that to remain the case until at least 120k.

    Oil and filter changes, DIY, is all the service it will get becuase in my opinion service shop's gofers (alias McD flippers) doing routine maintainance cause more problems that they prevent.
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    The 92K miles is spread out over 4 cars/minivans, right ? Not that you put in 92K miles on ONE car, correct ? So in total, I'd say (b), cos none of the cars/minivans made it past 50K miles before you got rid of them. Since Chrysler's warranty covers up to 7/70, then you would have had plenty of warranty work you never had to use. Once again, I say good for you. You got what you want, what is the fuss again ? Or is it buyer's remorse already ?

    :)
  • cjaubertcjaubert Member Posts: 17
    The 92K miles is spread out over three cars, for an average per car of 31K miles over two years and two months of use, with 1.33 repair visits. I just don't think that that is too much. To expect better would be, in essence, to expect perfection - the only number below 1 that I can think of is 0. Also, by the way, the cars did not "not make it past 50K miles," I just sold them before they did.

    As for the post by wwest, I think my point is made - the number of repair attempts is downplayed by him with comments like "other than a few times" and "once or twice." Well, that's saying "Besides that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play"? The car was either in the shop or it was not. Either way, I did not suggest, and I do not think, that Chrysler cars are the most reliable on the road. Rather, I am simply saying that my personal experience with repair frequency is hardly one that concerns me, and hardly one that I think the average person would be concerned with.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Are you including visits for normal maintenance?

    I've had two alignments, one brake pad replacement that I didn't do, a hatch strut replaced, a wiper stalk replaced and a power window motor replaced on my minivan to date. All that stuff was done under warranty. At least 6 special trips to the dealer since December, '98 over 90,000 miles.

    Doesn't seem like a lot to me, but I owned cars in the 70's too.

    Steve, Host
  • raddboy41raddboy41 Member Posts: 249
    Cjaubert's experience with Chrysler vehicles is pretty good! Sure you can divide the number of vehicles by the mileage and the years and rationalize that his vehicles never saw great use, but that's probably not true based upon his statements. This is a Seqouia board and we all favor Toyotas for their years of reliability and excellent engineering, but hey this guy has enjoyed his Chryslers. His experience has clearly been better than what CU data would have you expect. These are mechanical beast made by humans and sometimes the data doesn't always fit. Congrats, Mr. Jaubert on your reliable Chryslers!
  • cjaubertcjaubert Member Posts: 17
    Yes, the numbers include regular maintenance, but, as far as I recall, the cars were brought there for something else and regular maintenance was done while it was there. All work, except routine maintenance, was of course warranty.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    No, the very first time the car was in the shop was to check to be sure the A/C evaporator drain was operative, took all of an hour maybe. The second time was for an oil change and the oil wasn't drained with new added on top.

    And to be altogether fair I purchased a 2000 AWD T&C in the fall of 99 and put 30k miles on it before giving it to my daughter last fall. Until about a month ago it had never seen the inside of a service shop.

    And the shop time then was the result of having disparate tire sizes F/R.
  • oxx93oxx93 Member Posts: 67
    I thought this board was about the Sequoia, not Chrysler and the amount of days in the shop? If you want to talk about shop times, discuss it somewhere else. I just purchased a Sequoia and look forward to maintenance free driving. Toyota's reputation/build quality is why I bought the vehicle over the domestics.
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    Alrighty ! You had 92K miles spread out over 3 cars/minivans. There, happy now ? No need to be defensive of your Dodge purchase, it meets your needs and those of your family, that is what counts, in the final analysis.

    Let us move on. This is afterall, a Sequoia board and not Chrysler/Dodge.
  • fanman8fanman8 Member Posts: 65
    Yes, this is the Sequoia board and sometimes we do drift away a bit but the off topic was created by a poster that sold his Sequoia after one month of ownership only to make claims that his new ride was better in virtually every way. Indeed! Hopefully, You can imagine how the regulars here including myself needed clarification of such claims. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying your new Sequoia and if you need any information regarding your new ride you will most likely be able to ask and find it here within this group of owners. Did you possibly have a bad experience with a previous domestic vehicle that you would like to share with us here? This group shares the value you placed in a reliable well built Toyota product like the Sequoia you purchased. Happy motoring.
  • oxx93oxx93 Member Posts: 67
    I cannot say that I had a bad experience with the domestics. This is our first large SUV(previous were Jeeps). After comparing the Tahoe/Yukon and Expedition to the Sequoia, the Sequoia seemed solid, drove better and did not have a mess of plastic for a dashboard. I have friends that have had Yukons for about 3 years and they rattle quite a bit and seem very loose. I am hoping that I will not encounter the same. I will keep you posted.(pun intended)
  • stoneybrokestoneybroke Member Posts: 83
    Last night, CBS reported NTSB and Chrysler are trying to figure out why the front wheels keep falling off the Durango and some Dodge trucks. They showed several upper ball joints that had worn to the point of dropping out of the socket. Chrysler says it is investigating! My Sequoia is not perfect, but I don't think the wheels will fall off. Had two new Dodges once, a Daytona Turbo Z and a Dodge Caravan. Good thing I had two, as one was always broken.
  • watchdog3watchdog3 Member Posts: 29
    The Sequoia is by no means not perfect. The best overall SUV for most people's everyday driving needs isn't either.....but pretty darn close, not to mention $20K+ more and nearly $60K in all. When all is said and done, none of the domestics can match the overall quality of Toyota, period! This is not even up for debate! My Case and point would be the recent (within the last month) class action suit against GM for piston slap which includes 800,000 vehicles. This would include every Sub and Tahoe. My brother in law has a 2001 Tahoe with 35k miles. I looked under his hood and it is already rusting amoung other goofy stuff?????? No thanks, not for $40K.

    The details of all Toyotas are well thought out. Look at every door where the exterior skin wraps around to the inside. Toyota lays a bead of silicon around the entire door perimeter to cover the seal then paints it to prevent rust. Not GM, which is really the only competition.

    Sequoias are not Landcruiser quality.....but mechanically close and they ride marginally better with the longer wheel base.

    I don't care if others feel differntly about the domestics, I know the facts. Most people that buy and drive most cars really don't know the differnce between a good care and a bad car in terms of quality issues. I do and that is all that matters to me .......and I believe most here that buy Toyota products.

    Ask yourself this. " Would you buy a truck from a company that spent profits to produce and Aztek?"
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    to produce a absolutely butt ugly SC430???
  • watchdog3watchdog3 Member Posts: 29
    SC 430 vs Aztek, S10 Blazer, Grand Prix....the GM list could go on forever!

    My point regarding the Aztek did not only imply poor aesthetics but rather fit, finish, comfort and quality. (Not to mention a $3000 bill to replace the front windshield if it breaks, which I know for a fact) Silly stuff!

    The SC 430 may not be to your liking and maybe not even mine. However aside from LOOKS I have been in one and they ride very nicely. Aztek LIKE JUNK and dangerous. You cannot see clearly out of the back window!!!!!!! I rented in Denver for a few days ended up with a bruise in my right thigh from seat belt buckle driving into my leg.

    You will NEVER EVER not even with Johnny Cochran as you spokes person win the debate between Toyota and GM regarding overall quality. It quite simply is not up for debate!!!!
  • slackersslackers Member Posts: 77
    Amen. You are so correct it ain't funny. Check out April issue of Consumer Reports. They rate reliability by make, as follows:
    All stats are "problems per 100 vehicles"
    New vehicles, Average 19 per 100: Toyota 11 (rated 3rd) Chevy 19 (rated 10th), GMC 24 (13th)
    Three-year-old vehicles, Average 54 per 100:
    Toyota 24 (3rd place), Chevy 59 (16th), GMC 63 (19th)
    Five-year-old vehicles, average 79 per 100:
    Toyota 35 (4th), Chevy 92 (19th), GMC 95 (20th).
    Chevy and GMC fell below average in all three model years. Cadillac did even worse, with 25 & 91 for one and three-year old models, and still below average for five-year-old models at 82 problems per 100.
    So........enuf said ?
  • 714cut714cut Member Posts: 355
    Just curious about the CR info. Who beat Toyota?
  • bp3959bp3959 Member Posts: 156
    Here's my sequoia after playing in a bit of mud.

    image

    Notice the mud on the running boards above, that's because this thing was going through mud that high. Here's a few more:

    image

    image

    image

    The Sequoia can go through just about anything with the BFG KO all-terrains I just put on it!
  • watchdog3watchdog3 Member Posts: 29
    Still trying to find out any information on major changes. Anyone seen or heard anything?
  • climber3climber3 Member Posts: 13
    I am contemplating purchasing a 2004 but I am more interested in the SR5 than the Limited. Does the base model have power driver's seat, or do I have to order with the "Preferred Package"?
  • fanman8fanman8 Member Posts: 65
    1st and 2nd would be Lexus and Infinity with Honda a tie for 2nd,and 3rd:Toyota in the New Vehicles category.

    In the three year olds vehicles category it's Infinity 1st,Lexus 2nd,Toyota 3rd

    In the Five year old category: Infinity 1st,Lexus 2nd, Acura 3rd, Toyota 4th.

    Interesting to note: Chrysler rates a 17 in new vehicle category then drops to 60 in the Three year old vehicle category, then drops to 88 in the five year old category only to win out over Chryslers Jeep at 99. That might explain why Car and Driver and MT rate Chryslers well in the initial overall quality category when most all vehicles score fairly well early on. So,from a reliability standpoint if you trade frequently its fine to buy into the domestics. If you keep your vehicles longer, better to stay with the Japanese imports. These studies just reinforce what most of us already knew.
  • 714cut714cut Member Posts: 355
    n/m
  • 2_many_kids2_many_kids Member Posts: 1
    Looking to purchase a 3-seat SUV in the near future -- Sequoia is at the top of my list. Many of the vehicles I've research seem to have little leg room in the 3rd row seat.

    Any comments from current Sequoia owners about the comfort level in the 3rd row...
  • katzatkatzat Member Posts: 45
    I think the 3rd row seat in the Sequoia is the most comfortable in the class. It has headroom and legroom for two decent sized adults. Granted these seats are not as comfortable as the front or middle row, and they are a little more trouble to get into, but all things considered, I think they are great.

    This past weekend, I put my elderly parents back there and they were comfortable (3-yr old twins in car seats in the middle row). I doubt they would have liked getting in and out 50 times, but they enjoyed the ride.
  • raddboy41raddboy41 Member Posts: 249
    The Sequoia is one of the few (maybe only) full size SUV with an adjustable 3rd row seat. Slides fore/aft and seatbacks adjust.
  • going4asuvgoing4asuv Member Posts: 1
    We're almost certain we're buying a 2004 Limited; however, we cannot get a straight answer on when the Seq. body style will change. We've heard 2006, 2007 and just today, possibly 2005. We are a bit apprehensive about spending 40+ on a car that will look outdated in less than a year! Also, we are disappointed the Seq. doesn't have 2nd row curtain airbags as an option - possibly a change for future Toyota SUV's?? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
  • trdsctwotrdsctwo Member Posts: 67
    As a owner of a number of Toyotas, I feel pretty
    qualified to comment on Toyota quality. I now have
    a 2002 Sequoia with 16,000 miles (26,000 km) on the
    odometer as well as a 1996 4-Runner with 70,000 miles (111,000 km). I have replaced the following
    (non-routine maintence items on each vehicle)

    4-Runner: Front brake pads at 102,000km
               Rear coil springs (by TSB)
               Head Gasket (by TSB)
               All 4 shocks (with Bilsteins)
               Rear door plastic sill plates
    Sequoia: Stereo system (rear speaker buzz)
               Front brake pads and rotors (warped)
               Antenna and motor (grinding)
               Plastic door for rear compartment
    I also had the vehicle in the service department on 4 separate occasions during the first year because it would not start in weather
    colder than about 5 degrees C (40 degrees F). I love my Sequoia but
    the quality is certainly poorer than that of my 4-Runner
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    I notice that the SR5 versions do not have rear climate controls. Is this true, and if so, does it get hot or cool enough back there in the summer and winter months. Thinking about purchasing from Carmax where the vehicle is listed under invoice
  • raddboy41raddboy41 Member Posts: 249
    Hmmm....my 2002 SR5 Sequoia has the rear climate control. I believe it was listed as an option, but I've yet to see ANY Sequoia without the rear climate control.
  • jrh924jrh924 Member Posts: 2
    kennynmd:
    We have a 2003 SR5 that has both the rear controls and a rear A/C unit by the third row seats. All of the Sequoias we looked at had these features. We like the ability to control all temp settings from the front or let the 2nd row adjust their own. (Especially when traveling with another couple the folks in front don't have to sweat bullets so the wives are warm enough and vice versa)
  • mr21mr21 Member Posts: 15
    My 2004 SR5 has rear climate controls also. Might want to question your info sources.
  • husky92husky92 Member Posts: 56
    I believe there are only a handful of options you can't get on the SR5 as options.

    Power retractable mirrors
    Heated seats (got ours after market)
    1-tone paint (unless you get silver)
    Rear spoiler?

    Anything else?

    The problem, however is that you won't find any SR5s with every available option. If they built them that way, they wouldn't sell very many Limited models. If you want to order an SR5, there is a hard-limit to the number of options you can choose. I don't know what that number is, but it's like 80% of the total or something like that. On top of that, it can take a very long time to receive your order.
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    everyone. I was just looking at the brochure. I think I was just getting mixed up. I think I was loking at the automatic rear climate controls. I'm going to the dealers today.
  • watchdog3watchdog3 Member Posts: 29
    Anyone heard or seen any confirmation of engine (5.5 ltr)or body changes. All I hear are rumors.
  • oxx93oxx93 Member Posts: 67
    Using the remote, you can only put the window down? Shouldn't you be able to put it up as well?
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    I finally went to 2 dealers today and got horrible service. When I went to the first dealer, (toyota of Bowie), I told the salesman that I wanted to look at a 4Runner with a 3rd row seat. He pointed to a few 4Runners and told me to take a look for myself and maybe one will be open for me to take a look. If not come back and look for him. After looking myself I left. The second dealer, (Darcars Toyota) had noone there to help me. I walked around the lot with no help, eventually I left. I don't know if it was the two dealers or that I'm just used to better service(last 2 cars I bought was a Lexus and BMW). Anyways, after looking at the 4Runner, there is no room back there with a 3rd row seat. I'm gonna get a Sequoia, juust havve to find a good dealer.

    By the way...Carmax has the Sequoia under invoice, are there incentives or rebates or are there other "tack on" items when I get there. Anyone gotten a car from Carmax? Thanks
  • petro33petro33 Member Posts: 192
    There is a chance of catching someone in the rear window as you are remotely raising it, thus making it a safety hazard. The govnt trying to protect you against yourself...
  • oxx93oxx93 Member Posts: 67
    Thanks, had not thought about it. It is a pain to have to get back in the truck to put the window up. I probably shouldn't have controls for all 4 windows by the drivers seat also..........Love the gov't.
  • bp3959bp3959 Member Posts: 156
    You can also use the key right below the rear window to put it up or down.
  • watchdog3watchdog3 Member Posts: 29
    For those that care like me, I have heard from a Toyota Regional Representative that they are finally stepping up to the plate with the 2005 Sequoia engine.

    Next year it gets the 4.7 Liter with 270 HP!!!!!!! It is not a monster but now it can compete with others on specs. Please correct me if wrong but I think he said it was a VVtech?
  • photoguy2photoguy2 Member Posts: 164
    I was on a recent business trip and rode the parking lot bus with a national service guy who confirmed the engine upgrade along with NAV as an option and one other major thing I can't for the life of me remember...
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    since there is an engine upgrade, will the body style stay the same? If not when does toyota usually chage their body styles? I finally made up my decision to buy a sequoia, but now wilth a more pwoerful engine, I might wait. I got a quote for $300 over invoice. If I do wait for an 05 I know it'll be close to MSRP.
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    just wondering what people here are getting out of their Sequoias. Is it as listed or expected (14 city/ 17 hwy)?
  • gkatz1gkatz1 Member Posts: 296
    If their smart they'll put in the 5 speed from the LC. That, along with the 30 extra HP should work well.
  • p9ccg1p9ccg1 Member Posts: 8
    We have about 5000 miles on our 03 SR5 and have loved every mile. Couple of questions: 1)I thought I read on the window sticker that there are auto off headlights, but I don't see how to set it up. 2) Is there a way to program the car so that it chimes when we exit the car without turning off the headlights. We have come back to a dead battery a couple of times and need to do something to avoid that in the future. 3) anyone have any other tips/suggestions that may not be generally known about different programming options?
  • freddieenginefreddieengine Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2003 4WD, SR5 with about 14,000 miles. Two things have bothered me since the early days:

    1. When taking off (from stop), say at a traffic light, or even slowing down to come to a stop, I feel a slight "kick" coming from the trasnmission. It is similar to getting bumped in the back by another car. Sometimes it does it a second after I take my foot off the break and am about to accelerate.
    I've taken it to the dealer a few times, but they can't duplicate it or they say its normal for a 4WD.

    Has anyone else experinced this?

    2. The sunroof squeaks sporatically. It is the passenger side internal articulating assembly which attaches the glass to the body. It seems to lessen in warmer weather, so it apparently has to do with expansion/contrarction.
    Of course, the dealer can not fix this either.

    Any thoughts on any of these is certainly appreciated.
  • bp3959bp3959 Member Posts: 156
    The thump you are feeling isn't really a problem even though it's annoying, my 2001 used to do it and doesn't anymore. Search through the Sequoia problems and solutions board, there were quite a few posts about it(FYI, not limited to Sequoia, many vehicles do this). I've found that the easiest solution is to stop slower. It'll only really do it when you stop fast enough that the rear end is ramping up when you do stop. This puts tension in the rear end that's released when you start rolling again(if you pay very close attention the rear end will sink down slightly when the thump happens).

    As for the sunroof squeak they can't fix, that's unacceptable, you've been too nice about it. Your vehicle is at 14k miles, they must fix this. I recommend taking it to another dealer.
  • bp3959bp3959 Member Posts: 156
    I'm assuming that the 2003 is the same as the 2001. On the Sequoia there are 4 settings for the lights on the control stalk(turn signal lever), off, parking lights, on, and auto. For the auto-off simply place it in the auto position, your lights will come on in the dark and turn off in the daylight, as well as turn off shortly after exiting the truck. You can also turn the lights off with your keyless entry remote, simply hit lock twice and it'll shut off all exterior lights even if you have them in the always-on position.
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